Verhovayak Lapja, 1947 (30. évfolyam, 1-24. szám)
1947 / Verhovay Journal
PAGE 2 VerhovayJournal November 12, 1947 Pittsburgh Relief Concert An Outstanding Success (Continued from page 1) engaged as soloist with our orchestra or for a recital on one of the several courses given in this city. We recommend him for this consideration. His other number last night embraced Beethoven’s “In Questa Tómba Oscura”; Schubert’s “Der Wanderer”, and “Ungeduld’ (Impatience), and several extras that included those affecting Hungarian folks songs that reach the heart. ' ! ' 'iK-i '~ Mr. Kilenyi’s pianism revealed a talent that should go places. He is young, endowed with virtuosity and power ■ plus. His contribution to the list included Kodal y.’s “Szekely Lament”, and “Allegro Giocoso, opus 3”, Bartok’s “Evening in Transylvania” with its lilting “A Bit Tipsy”, Dohnanyi’s “Ruralia Hungarica”, a good and demanding piece for any pianist’s repertory and Liszt’s “12th Hungarian Rhapsody.” The artillery-like power of the Rhapsody was further emphasized by the player. He also played an extra: Chopin's C-minor Etude known as the “Revolutionary” etude. Enid S'/.autho made a deep impression with hei'singing of Brahms’ “Four Serious Songs” sung in German that won her deserved acclaim. She also sang the Romance from Themas’ “Mignon” which was transposed from the original soprano part to accomodate her particular range, and the aria “Mon Coeur s Ourve a ta Voix” from Sain-Saetis’ “Samson and Delilah” and extras. The concert executive committee did a good job in arousing interest in this worthy cause. It comprise« Joseph Bercsi (publicity-), Mrs. Theodore Zsambeky (patron chairman), Mrs. Stephen Mazura (program), Mrs. Joseph Bercsi (social chairman) and Gay B. Banes. The officers of the Pittsburgh Chapter 117 are Gay B. Banes, president; Miss Yolanda Benéző, vice president; Julius Lenar*, treasurer; William C. Kohut, secretary, ami Mrs. Lewis Dicrip controller.” Mi. Lewando’s unusually favorable review was matched by the critics of the other two daily newspapers of Pittsburgh. Donald Steinfirst, music critic of the Post Gazette, wrote under the headline “Crowd Pleased By • Hungarian Relief Concert”: “A gratifyingly large audience was in attendance Tuesday evening in Carnegie Music Hall at the benefit concert for Hungarian war orphans. The event was sponsored by the Pitsburgh Chapter of the American Hungarian Relief, under the presidency of Gay B. Banes. Fritz Reiner was honorary chairman of the concert, Albert Fiok and Julius Lenart were co-chairman.” Listing the artists “all of whom had contributed their talents to the event”, he remarks: “None of the artists had been previously heard here in recital and each made a most favorable impression on the audience.” Reviewing Mr. Kilenyi’s program, he writes; “In the modern music (which is not hoard nearly enough on local recitals), Mr. Kilenyi revealed a thorough understanding of the present-day concept of pianism of ihe Hungarian schools.” “His Kodály was neatly balanced, the moving Székely Lament contrasting with the skipping Allegro giocoso. The Bartók, too, depicted two moods of this great composer, the descriptive “Evening in Transylvania” and the happy “A Little Tipsy”. Dohnanyi’s “Roralia Hungarica” was wonderfully programatic. The Liszt was fiery and the Chopin indicative, as was everything else he played, of a fine controlled technique and an acute musical alertness.” Of Miss Szantho’s performance he writes: “In the extremely difficult ai d intense Brahms cycle, the contralto was at once the serious musician and the intelligent interpreter. Her voice was good, particularly in the middle register and when being emitted full voice.” He credits Mr. Sved with “a dramatic baritone of unusual vocal accomplishments. Mr. Sved’s every note was handsomely sung. His dramatic ability was hear to great advantage in the Beethoven, and the first of the Schubert 1 ieder and in the Verdi Aria. His pianissimo and head tones were delivered easily and he was in perfect pitch. Later he aded Italian and Hungarian songs as encores.Otto Herz was the sympathetic accompanist.” .1. íred Lisstelt of the Sun Telegraph, also gave prominent mention to the American Hungarian Relief and continues: “A large audience cordially received the brilliant artists and their fine music.” He finds Mr. Kilenyi “an accomplished musician” who gave us “ample opportunity to learr. what contemporary Hungary is producing in piano music. Enid Szantho is credited with “high musical qualities” while Mr. Sved is compared to his one-time teacher, Tito Ruffo. Dr. Otto Herz is named the “star accompanist, his "Brahms being especially noteworthy.” Apparently, the concert was a significant cultural success for which due credit was given to Chapter 117 of the American Hungarian Relief, by the music critics of the local press. At the same time prominence was given to the American Hungarian war relief movéiiient by the unsurpassable quality o the program and the performances of these'famous artists whose generous contribution to our noble cause is deeply appreciated by the Hungarians in the Pittsburgh area. It is due to the generosity of these great artists that a handsome profit will be realized for the unfortunate orphans in Hungary and f: was by the quality of their performances that the sympathy of the American public was won for this cause. 1 1' Further details and acknowledgments, will be printed in a later issue of the Journal. Until then, we wish to extend our sincere thanks to our famous guest stats, to the Pittsburgh newspapers, to the untiring workers of Chapter 117 oi the American Hungarian Relief, Ihc., and its concert-committee, and t i all who attended this great event. Buy U. S. Savings Bonds No Time For Thanksgiving (Continued from page 1) burdens his leaders and, impatient with their slow progress, abuses them until he succeeds in breaking their spirit. Nor are the scientists and inventors alone in maintaining the’limitations of man’s power in the face of forces not, subject to his control. Daily occurences keep reminding humanity of its dependence. The hurricanes in Florida, the floods in the Mississippi valley, the draught in the Middle West serve ample warnings that human efforts still depend tor success on circumstances beyond man’s control. But to no avail . . . Intoxicated by an inflated consciousness of power, Modern Man is rapidly losing all sense of proportions and the sonsequenees of this tragic trend are painfully apparent in his home life, in his political endeavours, in his economic views, in his labor and social relations, in every aspect of his existence, indeed, even in fraternal life . . . Ambition is one of man’s greatest assets. But unchecked by an awareness of its limitations, it easily develops into monomania, which cannot lead to anything but the ultimatecatastrophe of self-destruction. Modern Man, by permitting his ambitions to run away with him, is subjecting himself to the gravest danger in the history of mankind. A danger which cannot be escaped unless Man takes a hold on himself and stops to look beyond the turkey and the pumpkin to the Ultimate Power permitting him to enjoy his Thanksgiving Day dinner. Modern Man, however, has no time for thanksgiving ... he is in too much of a rush to grab more than his needs call for . . . But, unless he takes time to give thanks for what adorns his table, he will never again enjoy another Thanksgiving Day dinner . . . BRANCH OFFICER HONORED BY MILWAUKEE HUNGARIANS “Acknowledged” Title Conferred Upon Gabriel Kovács. — Representatives of many Hungarian societies joined the membership of Branch 275, Milwaukee, Wis„ in paying tribute to former Juvenile Branch Manager Gabriel Kovács on completing a quarter of a century in the service of the Verhovay F. I. Association. The memorable event was attended by John Bencze, Supreme President, Pittsburgh, Pa., and John P. Kelemen, director, editor of the Dayton Hungarian Herald, who. in behalf of the Board of Directors of the Association, confened the “Verhovay Acknowledged” title with the Silver Medal and the citation upon the honored branch officer. The truly impressive affair was opened by Martin Dolezar, President of Branch 275, who, after welcoming the members and guests, intro- j dueed Krank Beleznay as the Master of Ceremonies. Supreme President John Bencze | gave a stirring address on the his- j tory of the Association, paying tribute to those fellow-members who had devoted the best years of their lives to the advancement of Verhovay fraternalism and, among them, to fellow-member Gabriel Kovács whose untiring efforts had been instrumental in the impressive progress of Branch 275 which today, with more than 270 members, is our largest branch in the city of Milwaukee. He asked the audience to excuse director Kelemen who, unable to make a speech due to his illness, nevertheless came to present Gabriel Kovács with the Silver Medal and the Citation. Joseph Weisman, Manager of Branch 275, spoke with sincere admiration of the service record of fellow-member Kovács, and, then, the Master of Ceremonies introduced Mrs. John Bogdan, Manager of the Juvenile Order of Branch 275, who was warmly applauded for her important share in the arrangements for this event. She was followed by Vice-President John Gelvary whose address Evoked enthusiastic applause. Emery Sas, former President of the local chapter of the merged Workingman’s Sick Benefit Federation, and Julius Talbev, member of the same group, joined the speakers in congratulating Gabriel Kovács. An excellent dinner was prepared and served by the following; ladies: Mrs. John Bogdan, Mrs. Martin Dolezar, Mrs. Charles Pallagi, Mrs. Gabriel Kovács, Mrs. Joseph Devati, Mrs. Stephen Olah, Mrs. Joseph Turkovieh, Mrs. Stephen Koronich, Miss Dorothy Olah, Miss Theresia Horvath, Mrs. Paul Kaponya and Mrs. Tobis. Refreshments were served by John Bogdan Sr., John Bogdan Jr., Florian Angian, Louis Body and Bertram Kovács. Thanks to the efforts of these fellow-members and to the sincere interest of the membership of Branch 275 as well as the many Hungarian societies represented on this occasion, the affair was an outstanding success leaving pleasant memories with, ail who attended; College Graduate Enters Secretarial Career Congratulations to Miss Elizabeth M. Vass, a member of Branch 444, Wallingford, Conn., who completing her studies in Social Science, graduated from the New Haven Yale Larson College on June 9th, 1947, and recently assumed an important secretarial position in Meriden, Conn. Miss Vass, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Vass Sr., is the sister of Anthony Vass, Jr., who was killed in action in France. Including another sister, Ethel, all are members of the Verhpvay. We extend our very best wishes to Miss Vass upon her graduation and hope that she will be a great success in her first position. JOHN BALOGH, Manager. CORRECTION In paragraphs 354 and 355 of the Minutes of the XXI. Regular Convention, published in the October 29th issue of the Journal, the name of Gazéi Nagy appears as a member of the Disciplinary Committee, nominated and elected by the XXI. Convention. This is an error. The Convention elected Davis Nagy, representative of Branch 187, Granite City, 111., to the Disciplinary Committee.
